Wrexham 4, Blackpool 2

THE biggest crowd at the Raccourse so far this season yesterday saw Wrexham maintain their drive towards the heights of the Second Division with a sparkling first-half performance which brought their recent goal-drought to an end.

THE biggest crowd at the Raccourse so far this season yesterday saw Wrexham maintain their drive towards the heights of the Second Division with a sparkling first-half performance which brought their recent goal-drought to an end.

Strikers Hector Sam and Chris Llewellyn helped themselves to two goals apiece and the home side were applauded off the pitch at the end of a game in which they underlined their potential to make an impact on the play-offs in the second half of the campaign.

While it was no surprise to see midfielder Darren Ferguson back in the home side's line-up for the first time in nearly six weeks, manager Denis Smith had a few other surprises up his sleeve.

Missing from the side who won 1-0 at Stockport County on Boxing Day were defenders Brian Carey and Shaun Pejic, replaced by Steve Roberts and Craig Morgan, and it was Jim Whitley who made way in midfield for the return of the Wrexham skipper after a three-match ban.

Carey and Whitley had to settle for a place on the bench where they were joined by striker Chris Armstrong, fit again after a knee injury, but desperately short of match practice.

Looking for a third win in a row, Wrexham went close to opening the scoring within 45 seconds of the start when a low centre from Carlos Edwards was almost turned into his own net by Blackpool defender Simon Grayson.

And that incident set the tone for an action-packed first half, which brought six goals and chances galore.

Blackpool defender Steve Elliott spurned a fifth-minute chance, heading Danny Coid's corner wide, but it was the Dragons who dictated for most of the time.

Llewellyn just failed to reach a quickly-taken Ferguson free-kick and Sam showed some fine skill but pulled his shot across the face of Lee Jones' goal before the visitors again threatened, John Murphy failing to put a header on target from a Gareth Evans cross.

Wrexham fans, who have been complaining they have yet to see the best of Llewellyn, had their patience rewarded in the 15th minute when the former Welsh international brought down a long Morgan clearance 30 yards from goal and jinked past two defenders before drilling a rising shot into the roof of the Blackpool net.

It was a superb goal, matching his only other of the season so far at Sheffield Wednesday.

But he needed only eight minutes before making it 2-0, with a much scrappier finish to finish off a defencesplitting combination involving Carlos Edwards and Paul Barrett.

But Blackpool's large holiday following did not have to sit long on their hands as Scott Taylor reduced the arrears in the 23rd minute, racing on to Martin Bullock's pass to fire home, aided by a deflection off Dennis Lawrence which wrong-footed Andy Dibble in the home goal.

Wrexham, though, were knocking the ball around with confidence and they restored their two- goal cushion in the 33rd minute.

Sam saw his initial shot blocked but was on hand to ram home the rebound after support man Barrett was denied a second goal in two matches, his effort coming back off the upright. The visitors were reeling and Carlos Edwards had a fierce effort blocked before goalkeeper Jones prevented a Llewellyn hat-trick with a fine save that matched the quality of the strike.

But Wrexham were not to be denied and Sam doubled his tally a minute before the break, latching on to a precision pass from Ferguson to finish with aplomb.

Blackpool, though, refused to lie down and when Coid's shot was deflected for a 45th-minute corner via the crossbar, the midfielder delivered an inch-perfect flag-kick for Mike Flynn to make it 4-2, crashing home a close-range header.

The renewal of hostilities brought more of the same as Jones rescued the visitors with a save from Steve Thomas and Dibble had to display similar agility in turning Simon Johnson's 55th-minute free-kick over the crossbar.

Wrexham made their first change, introducing the experienced Carey at the expense of teenager Morgan, who left the field to generous applause.

And Dragons boss Smith underlined his determination to tighten up defensively with the introduction of Whitley for Roberts 10 minutes later after the defender showed signs of flagging.

Even though Blackpool needed to show some adventure and take a few risks, they made sure they got everyone behind the ball when their opponents were in possession and the home side were more than content to string their passes together in front of the massed black shirts.

But Sam still had enough energy in the final few minutes to show more magical ball control before stinging Jones' hands and when the keeper failed to hold the shot, Thomas drove his effort only inches wide.

And Llewellyn again went close to a hat-trick with a flashing shot from an acute angle as the home side finished with a flourish to send their supporters home happy.